Public Statements

Kildee Announces $6.9 million Grant for Flint

Press Release

Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that he helped secure $6.9 million in federal funding that will keep Flint firefighters on the job protecting public safety. The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) SAFE R program comes at a difficult time for the city, which was placed in receivership under an Emergency Manager late last year. Layoff notices had gone out to Flint firefighters pending the outcome of the grant award decision.

"I am very pleased I was able to secure this critically important funding for the City of Flint that will protect the public safety," said Kildee. "These funds are vital for the safety of Flint's citizen and firefighters and will help stabilize fire protection in the city in these difficult times."

Kildee, who supported federal legislation and appropriations that created the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, wrote FEMA in support of the city's successful grant request. SAFER was created to provide direct funding to fire departments in order to comply with federal standards for staffing and response times

"I worked closely with Flint officials to make sure that FEMA understood that the city is confronting extreme financial difficulties amid a tough economy," said Kildee. "The health and safety of Flint's citizens depended on this grant being approved."